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God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

from The Court of a King by The Crossing

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God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” has been sung in the streets of London for over 200 years, and is considered one of the most popular carols around the world. This is the London version, slightly different from the one sung in the United States—so if you sing along, make sure you read the words!

lyrics

God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day,
to save poor souls from Satan’s power which had long time gone astray.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy.

From God that is our Father, the blessed angels came,
unto some certain shepherds with tidings of the same;
that there was born in Bethlehem, the Son of God by name.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy.

Go, fear not, said God’s angels. Let nothing you affright.
For there is born in Bethlehem, of a pure virgin bright,
one able to advance you, and throw down Satan quite.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.

The shepherds at those tidings, rejoiced much in mind,
and left their flocks a feeding in tempest storms of wind,
and straight they came to Bethlehem, the Son of God to find.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy.

Now when they came to Bethlehem, where our sweet Savior lay.
They found Him in a manger, where oxen feed on hay,
the blessed Virgin kneeling down, unto the Lord did pray.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy.

With sudden joy and gladness, the shepherds were beguil’d,
to see the Babe of Israel, before His mother mild,
on them with joy and chearfulness, rejoice each mother’s child.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
like we true loving brethren, each other to embrace,
for the merry time of Christmas, is drawing on a pace.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.
And it’s tidings of comfort and joy.

credits

from The Court of a King, released June 1, 1998
Traditional London version. From a broadside printed by J. & C. Evans, Long-lane, London, some fifty years before Rimbault.
Mark: whistle, backing vocals; Tony: guitar, vocals; Mike: bouzouki, backing vocals; Jennifer: fiddle, backing vocals; Hilde: cello, backing vocals; Pat: bodhran, backing vocals

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The Crossing is a talented group of musicians firmly rooted in the traditional celtic music featuring bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, cello and harp among their many instruments. They blend original songs with traditional Irish and Scottish jigs and reels as well as atmospheric ballads. With their songs they get you thinking while their instrumentals get your feet moving. ... more

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